Electric switch



July25, 1933. P. G. SHAW 1,919,990

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Aug. 19, 1931 annn- Inventor Percy G. Shaw.

by M10944,

His Attorhey.

Patented July 25, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PERCY GEORGE SHAW, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, .ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed August 19, 1931-. Serial No. 558,091.

My invention relates to an electric switch and more particularly to a snap switch of the type known as a tumbler switch.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved tumbler switch of simple construction, easy to assemble and of low cost of manutzu-ture. It is a further object of my invention to provide a switch in which the switch mechanism may be completely assembled before insertion in the receptacle.

In the accompanying drawin which is illustrative of my invention. lig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a tumbler switch with the switch in the open position; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the switch in closed position; Fig. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of the switch and Fig. 4 is a detail view of a switch contact.

The switch comprises a receptacle or base of porcelain or other insulating material having a central recess 10 and a switch mechanism 11 mounted in the receptacle and held in position by screws 12. The switch mechanism is mounted on a supporting structure comprising metal end pieces 13 and side plates lel of relatively thin tough insulating material. Rectangular lugs 15 are provided on the end pieces 13 to secure them to the side plates 14. A contact carrying lever 16 is provided and adapted to be mounted in V-shaped notches 17 in the insulating side plates let. Lever 16 is of rectangular shape with a substantially rectangular opening having inwardly projecting shoulders 18 which serve to pivot the lever in the V-shaped notches 17 in the side plates. A bridging contact 19 is secured to lever 16 on an extension from the bottom of the lever. Contact 19 is insulated from lever 16 by plates of insulating material located on either side of the contact. The lever has a lug 20 for holding spring 21 in engagement with the lever to move it from one position to another. Operating handle 22 is provided with a lever arm 23 With a notch 24: for engaging the other end of spring 21 so that the handle may compress the spring and move the lever.. Operating handle 22 has two shoulders 25 and 26 which engage the end pieces 13 when the operating handle is in the position corresponding to the open andclosed position of the switch, respectively, to limit the movement of the operating handle and to take up the shock 011 movement of the switch. The handle 22 is mounted in position between the side plates 14 and pivoted on a pin 2-7 carried by said plates. Stationary contacts 28 are mounted on the side plates 1-l and secured in position by hollow rivets. Contacts 28 have threaded apertures 29 for the reception of binding screws. These contacts 28 may be made from stampings. and bent into shape. The method of supporting the contacts is best indicated in Fig. at. The portion of the contact through which the rivet is inserted to support it is on the opposite side of the plate M from the end having the threaded aperture. The contact surface rests against the edge of the plate so that the plate takes up the shock upon engagement of the contact and resists the contact pressure without any tendency of the contact securing means to loosen. This method of securing the contact with parts on opposite sides of the supporting plate reduces the danger of the contact being twisted from its mooring upon the tightening of the binding screw. Since all the switch mechanism is supported by the end pieces 13 and side plates 14 it may be assembled before it is placed in the receptacle.

In accordance with my invention, a tumbler switch is provided of simple construction with the switch mechanism carried by a unitary supporting structure so that the assen1- bly of the device is simple and the cost of manufacture low.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentof the United States, is:

A unitary switch mechanism adapted to be mounted in a receptacle comprising supporting end pieces, side plates of insulating material connected to the end pieces in spaced parallel relation to each other and provided with notches forming pivots, a lever pivoted in said notches provided with an angularly projecting extension, a flexible bridging contact mounted on said extension and extending transversely of the side plates beneath the same, terminal contacts secured to the lower edges of the side plates in positions to be engaged by said bridging contact, and means including a handle mounted on the side plates for moving the lever.

PERCY GEORGE SHAW. 

